It's sad to say goodbye to the NFL, which has become the best sport to watch over the last few years. It was another eventful season, and it's too bad everyone has to wait seven months for another meaningful game. From team drama to the wacky playoffs, the season had its ups and downs. Miami was a swamp for the Super Bowl, which was a pretty decent game. So for now people will have to settle for a spring training countdown or the NBA season (In some cases, the NBA lottery). Does anyone count on the NHL for entertainment anymore?  

 The regular season was full of memorable moments from Week One to 17. The Season Opener had Charlie Batch go up against Daunte Culpepper. Batch was the better of the two, ending any hope in Miami their team would be home in February. The highlight to start the season was Trent Green getting demolished by Robert Geathers of the Bengals. Green was unconscious for awhile and went on to miss half the season. Speaking of the Bengals, nine of their players were arrested throughout the season. (Insert your own joke here, they've all been said) There was also the ruckus caused by TO and his suicide attempt. What a zoo that made the NFL for a few weeks. Everyone forgot about it once he started to drop balls at an alarming rate. Patriot fans got to go through the Deion Branch hold out, and then get used to the fact Reche Caldwell's eyes are always bugged out. Ladainian Tomlinson also put on a pretty good show en route to his MVP award. Then of course he blew it in the playoffs.  

 The playoffs were great,l featuring exciting AFC games and Reggie Bush opening eyes. Those Texans must feel great now. The Colts suddenly became a defensive team, and the Pats played three great games despite coming up short of another Super Bowl. Belichick had the highlight in a blowout win over the Jets, shoving a camera man out of his way to give Eric Mangini a man hug. The Divisional Playoff against the Chargers was a hard fought battle, and Troy Brown stripping the Marlon McCree interception was probably the best play of the season. Drama that followed with some of the Pats imitating Shawne Merriman's dance was entertaining, but just ridiculously silly on the Chargers part. It's a good thing LT and Belichick are now getting along so they can each focus on the Pro Bowl now (phew). The AFC Championship was the Super Bowl, but a tough subject to talk about again as a Pats fan. Of course looking back on the whole Tony Romo debacle doesn't make it sting so much. But let's just move on.

The Super Bowl started off with a great play by Devin Hester, and those that took the Bears getting seven points felt hopeful. There were a few moments in the first quarter that Peyton Manning had his losing look on, but as soon as the Colts took their first lead on Dominic Rhodes' 1 yard touchdown the fate of Super Bowl 41 was sealed. Rex Grossman was actually worse than everyone had hyped him to be for two weeks. Unfortunately, the Bears were who everyone thought they were, and the Colts are hanging a banner in September. Peyton now has a ring, and something tells me that Dan Marino wasn't as happy as he was showing. Joseph Addai should have been named the games MVP, but Peyton played well enough to win it. It was fun to finally watch a game that had terrible weather. Just another thing to add to all the drama of it all. It's just a damn shame the commercials were terrible.  

So with the Pro Bowl the only thing left of the 2007 NFL season, it's time to put away the Sunday outfit and start doing housework again. It feels worse then having to go back to school after summer vacation and the first Monday back to work after vacation combined. The game people morph into super fans for once every week is taking it's own break, leaving everyone without an excuse to skip out on a Sunday family dinner. So Farwell for now football, but please hurry back...

It feels like Bizarro world in Patriots Land. Peyton Manning pulled a Tom Brady and staged a come from behind victory against the Pats. For the first time, Tom Brady was the one walking off the field for the last time of the season. Brady couldn't lead his team to a last second come back, something that's become the equivalent of David Ortiz with a big hit in the ninth or Robert Horry hitting a big shot. In other words, a sure thing. It's a strange feeling, but right now there is too much disbelief to be angry. To hold back the anger, I had to come up with excuses. The patriots should have won this game but they were playing against themselves during the second half.

 

It would have helped if the running game showed up for four quarters. After some vintage Corey Dillon in the first which included a touchdown that gave the Pats an early 14-3 lead, the rush attack disappeared. Laurence Maroney lost yards on six of his eight carries and finished with a total of 13. Had the team managed more than 3.9 yards per carry, they could have run out the clock with 3:22 left in the fourth. Instead, they had to throw it three times, and went three and out. The worst part is it's the first time this year the Colts terrible run defense held an opponent under 100 yards.

 

The Pats also made four penalties in the fourth quarter. That isn't the discipline you would expect out a team fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl.  Heath Evans wanted to be in the huddle too much and his too many men in the huddle penalty backed the offense up when they could have run out the clock. Then Tully Banta-Cain's roughing the passer moved Peyton and Crew closer before Joseph Addai's game winning score. The penalties happened so quick and right in the middle of all the action, they were kind of lost in it all. But I don't expect Bill Belichick to overlook them as much as Jim Nantze did.

 

Peyton wanted this win and needed it to validate his career. My hat is off to him and the Colts for winning this game. They completely took over the game after halftime, and their first drive that ate up nearly seven minutes set the tone. Peyton finally won the big game over the Patriots, and gets to go the Graceland now. You could still see how worried he was on that last drive by Brady and Co. though. His head was down, and he wouldn't even watch. What would he have done if the Pats pulled one of their patented last second wins? Tears? Violence? Homicide? Something tells me he'll be able to watch his defense go against Rex Grossman in two weeks (yes, Rex Grossman is a Super Bowl quarterback. Move over Trent Dilfer).

 

There is no reason to hang your head as a Patriots fan. For one thing, Brady and Belichick will be back next year, and they'll have to quench their Super Bowl thirst soon. The defense will get Rodney Harrison back, and I doubt the thoughts of a Tedy Bruschi retirement will become anything more than just thoughts. The Pats also have two late first rounders and a lot of cap room next season (just to make everyone feel better, next year the Colts are going to be over the cap, and Dwight Freeney and Cato June are free agents. Feel better?). Any questions about Stephen Gostkowski and if he can kick were answered with an eight for eight playoff performance. And don't worry about offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels jetting for the Raiders. No one is that desperate to be a head coach.

 

So as the sting sets in the morning after, Pats fans just have to move on. The Colts played better, and showed up when it mattered. Usually it's the other way around, but for now we'll have to suffer in Bizzaro World. Did anyone have faith this team could get as far as they did in mid-November? They overachieved this year, but their past success bit everyone with February Fever. It's still a good sign to see the Pats are there every year competing for a championship. That is a trend I don't see ending anytime soon.

 

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• One more thing that gets me excited about the Pats. David Thomas had a pretty solid rookie year. He didn't play too much this season, but his diving touchdown catch against the Jaguars and impressive play on special teams gives reason the think highly of him. Daniel Graham is a free agent and could bolt for more money and playing time. Thomas is quick and maybe his tackling on special teams will improve his blocking.

 

• My recent disappearance is actually due to me writing for www.redsarmy.com, a Celtic fan-site. So don't let the fact they are letting me write for them scare you, it's a pretty fun page for Celtic/Basketball fans. You'll be able to tell where my stuff is pretty easily.  

Can you believe it's already week five? The leaves are turning green, frost is coming soon, and the cold weather jacket is already out of the closet. That and there are some juicy story lines this week. Matt Leinart is getting the keys to the car, four teams still haven't won a game, and Terrell Owens is going back to Philly. Should be fun...

Redskins at Giants

 

The Redskins are coming off an impressive 36-30 win over the Jaguars where Marc Brunell looked great. He threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns, all to Santana Moss. The Giants are coming off a bye week though, and their passing game should pick apart the weak Skins secondary. If the Giants don't get "out-coached" again, they should be alright.

 

Pick: Giants by 7

 

Bills at Bears

 

The Bears looked great last week against the Seahawks, mostly because their running game showed up. Thomas Jones has been disappointing, but rushed for two touchdowns last week. Rex Grossman continues to impress and the Bears defense is one of the best in the league. As for the Bills, they are a surprising 2-2, but will not do much against an elite team (which the Bears are at this point).

 

Pick: Bears by 14

 

 Lions at Vikings

 

Yawn. The Vikings have played some close games, but they aren't that exciting to watch. The Lions are terrible despite scoring 34 points up against the Rams last week. The Vikings should conquer in this yawnfest.

 

Pick: Vikings by 10

 

Rams at Packers

 

The Packers are painful to watch except for the possibility of Brett Farve doing something great (and even that has been happening less and less).The Rams offense is pretty good, and Marc Bulger hasn't thrown a pick yet. Steven Jackson needs to find the endzone more, but it shouldn't matter against the Packers defense. The Rams need this win with Seattle coming up next week.

 

Pick: Rams by 10

 

Buccaneers at Saints

 

The Bucs are already running on fumes and losing Chris Simms didn't help. The fact that he was having a terrible year pretty much says something about the Bucs. Brad Gradkowski gets the nod, and who the hell is he? The Saints are coming off their first loss, and it should help that Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush get to take on one of the worst rushing defense in the league.

 

Pick: Saints by 14

 

Browns at Panthers

 

This is the game the Panthers need to get back on track, especially since they are going on a road trip to Baltimore and Cincinnati after this. The Panthers offense hasn't clicked as well as they should yet, but the Browns defense is terrible. I feel bad for Romeo Crennel, but he should have waited for another position to open.

 

Pick: Panthers by 14

 

Titans at Colts

 

Remember the days when this would have been a good match up? Now it's a cakewalk for the Colts twice a season. Peyton Manning took over last week against the Jets and led the Colts to a win. He won't have to do that this week, and the Colts should cruise into the bye week a perfect 5-0.

 

Pick: Colts by A Lot (Spread is 18.5)

 

Dolphins at Patriots

 

The Pats looked great against the Bengals last week, and embarrassed them in their own house. Laurence Maroney broke out with some great runs and nasty stiff arms. Anyone who was concerned about Tom Brady and his body language was able to get a full week of pleasant sleep. As for the Dolphins, at 1-3 these Superbowl Contenders are spiraling down the drain. There is no run game, and Daunte Culpepper is already banged up. He is "Probable" but him not playing wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to the Dolphins. That is if Joey Harrington wasn't there backup.

 

Pick: Patriots by 10

 

Chiefs at Cardinals

 

Matt Leinart is making his first start a week after Vince Young made his. Now is the time to show Vince up by putting up good numbers and getting a win (Vince's were not good at all last week, throwing for 155 yards, a touchdown and a pick). Whoever's defense plays better will win this game, and right now that's a coin flip.

 

Pick: Cardinals by 7

Raiders at 49ers This is one of those games where it just doesn't matter who wins. The 49ers are a bad team on the rise, and the Raiders are just a bad team. Alex Smith is having a good sophomore campaign, but if Frank Gore keeps fumbling the 49ers will keep losing. Then again they are playing the Raiders. They should win at least one game this year, but I don't see it coming this week.

 

Pick: 49ers by 10

 

Jets at Jaguars

 

The Jaguars are coming off two straight loses, and so are the Jets. Both teams could very well be 4-0, but are 2-2. They both need to win this week in order to stay in their respected division races. The Jaguars are a better team, but the Jets have played well the last two weeks against the Patriots and Colts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Jets come away with this, but I still think the Jags will come away with it.

 

Pick: Jags by 10

 

Cowboys at Eagles

 

What a circus this should be. Terrell Owens was once Philly's "Savior" and now he is public enemy number one. Hopefully this is all in the presses mind, because if the players feel this way too, then one person will benefit from this; Terry Glenn. While the Eagles defense is focused on making Owens a tackle dummy, Glenn and Drew Bledsoe can play catch all they want. The Eagles are flying high after embarrassing Green Bay on Monday Night, and hopefully they are focused on the Cowboys and not TO. This may come down to Drew Bledsoe, since Philly's defense is struggling. He will win or lose this game.

 

Pick: Cowboys by 10

 

Steelers at Chargers

 

The Chargers couldn't do too much against Baltimore last week, and if the Steelers defense decides to show up they could have similar problems. Then again, the defending champs are in shambles right now. The D is only there when they feel like it, and the offense can't do much of anything. The only place "Fast" Willie Parker is running is out of a starting job. The only reason he still has it is because no one else can step up. The Chargers need a win, and Phillip Rivers should be able to take advantage of a below average passing defense.

 

Pick: Chargers by 10

 

Ravens at Broncos

 

I am on the Ravens bandwagon finally. Steve McNair has rejuvenated the offense, and the defense is as dominant as ever. I'm convinced they are the complete package after last weeks win against the Chargers. The Broncos are coming off their Bye week (and a win against the Pats) but Jake Plummer's spotty play is still something to be worried about. If he plays as bad as he has, the Ravens secondary should have a field day. Should be better than last Monday Night's game though...

 

Pick: Ravens by 13

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Keep this in mind, if the Padres lose to the Cardinals on Sunday, I go 0-4 on playoff picks. That's terrific Tina...

This really isn't related to anything, but it's a pretty funny story. Still not feeling to well today, but I got a golf net so I don't have to go to the range all the time (the closest one is 25 minutes away) and decided to set it up. After the quick and easy 45 minute assembly concluded, I started to hit some ball.

This went well for about 15 minutes. After slicing and dicing with a wood, I decided to hit a few with my 9 Iron. The first one felt good, but the second felt even better. That is until it flew over the net and hit the chimney three houses down. So I did what anybody would have done, ran like a 10 year old that just broke a window. I didn't hear anything break, but it made a nice thud after it bounced off the neighboring house. I was too gazelle like to hear anything after that. The worst part is I'm still slicing the ball. Maybe this will teach me a lesson. 

So that's how I spent the first two hours of a day full of nothing. And there are still three baseball games to go...

I'm sure you'll hear from me later.

Ok I better make this quick. I've been a little under the weather lately and just took some Tylenol Nighttime. If I don't make sense in the later part of this post, that could be the reason. Today was just too good a day in baseball to let it pass by. The fact there was a game on when I woke up made it that way.

Afternoon baseball is by far one of the best things that could happen. I can't say exactly what it is about an early game that draws me in every time. Even if it was a pointless game, I still watch. Take a Reds-Cardinals game a few months ago. I had no reason to watch it, but I did. Bronson Arroyo was pitching so I figured why not watch the former Boston rock star. I watched pretty much the whole game minus a shower and a nap. I don't know why, but it was just exciting to see afternoon baseball. It's not too often you can find a game on in the afternoon unless you have a baseball satellite package. So I thought of it as a treat.

Having a game on today was equally as fun. I woke up around 1:30 (remember, I haven't been feeling well lately) and caught a few innings. Saw Frank Thomas rejuvenate his career, only now in October. The guy has been amazing lately. He had a brief stint on my fantasy team while he was putting a Big Hurt on September. His MVP like numbers in the past few months are what got the A's to the postseason. Although Johan Santana didn't put up an award winning performance, he was still pretty fun to watch. It's funny that I think he should win the Cy Young, but the only two times I've seen him pitch is when he got rocked (saw him give up Ortiz's 51st and then tonight).

The day got better with a 4:00 game. The Padres are full of former Red Sox, and the Cardinals have Albert Pujols. I asked if he could homer in Petco last night, and he shut me up today. Chris Carpenter was fun to watch as well, and my hero Dave Roberts had three hits. All around it was a fun game to watch.

 

Of course, the Yankees were in prime time. As painful as it was I watched the majority of the game (Give me a break. I was at work, which pretty much requires me to watch it). Derek Jeter was awesome, going five for five with a dinger in the eighth. Not to mention Bobby Abreu drove in half of the Yankees eight runs. Very painful. Enough about this.

 

It was a great day of baseball because of a game on before 7:00 (bonus, there was two). I have tomorrow off, and chances are the fact that I'm not forced to watch all three games won't mean that I don't watch to them (Tylenol is kicking in I think). The reason I'm so drawn to afternoon baseball, I really can't say. There's just something about having baseball when it usually isn't on is just fun. And let's face it, its all Cub fans have to make them happy.  

 

 

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• Ok better make the random thought quick because the medicine is really starting to kick in. I can't believe the marlins canned Joe Girardi. How this guy did what he did with the Marlins was amazing. They only finished six games under .500 with a payroll lower than half the guys on the Yankees. Don't be surprised is he gets hired within a week. His hometown Cubs, Giants and Nationals now have vacancies, and Giradi could be the guy to turn these misfit clubs around.